Lewis Ecker
Church-based Missionary
-- London, England -- |
As a late birthday present I took Zoey to the Portobello Road Market in the famous Notting Hill.
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We shared Thanksgiving this year with our friends: the Powell family and Wesley Gilead.
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We had some really nice Autumn colors this year. This is St John's The Evangelist (Anglican) Church, Upper Holloway.
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 All bundled up: believe it or not, we've become used to the cold weather and kinda like it. Snow has been in our forecast for about a week now but we haven't seen any yet. MORE LONDON PHOTOS |
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Mysterious Ways"God works in mysterious ways" is one of those phrases that we often quote but isn't actually found in the Bible. However most theologians believe it may be based on Isaiah 55:8-9, which describes God's thoughts and actions as beyond the understanding of the human mind. Whatever the case I think we all believe it to be true and it sure applies to our daily lives right now, probably yours too.
So here goes... are holding onto your hat? It's still too early to go into great detail but I've been having serious talks with a Nigerian-based church that planted a church in London about 15 years ago. Over time they've grown into a large multi-staffed congregation and refurbished an old church building close to where we live. This week they're sending me to Lagos, Nigeria, for five days to attend their big worship event hosted by their "mother church" and meet with their founding pastor. If everything goes well I'll start the application for a new work visa when I get back. My position will be called something like "Community Pastor" which will help them better connect with the local people of Islington. All of the current staff and most of the membership commute from the outer parts of greater London. I will also add "diversity" to their staff which are currently all Nigerian.
Please keep me in your prayers while I'm in Nigeria, December 2 - 7, and just to clarify... (1) I do NOT have a job yet (2) the job I'm applying for is in London -- I just need to go to Nigeria as part of the process, and (3) I'm also talking with churches in the States but honestly feel compelled to stay in London if at all possible.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
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Street Pastors and Co.  In November we had two patrols on the streets of Islington. The first was one of the wettest we've ever had. On that Friday evening we were joined by three Americans from Huntsville, Alabama. They spent the week prayer-walking in our borough. On this last Friday we experienced sub-freezing temps, but did that stop young people from drinking to excess? No. We even had to call the ambulance twice.
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Last night of teens4truth  We had a full house on our last night of T4T. We'll have to wait and find out what its future will be. Please pray for these young people and their families: back row--Ayden, Nico, Ashley, Jade, Zach, Wes (volunteer), and Jemma. Sitting--Michael, Jemima, Edjerse, Connie, Precious, Zoey, Amina, Rose (volunteer), and Victoria. On floor: Angie (volunteer) and Success. Not pictured: Viviene (volunteer, visiting her father who's hospitalized in Jamaica).
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Prayer Requests and Updates
- Please keep praying for the Ecker family. We're thankful for your ongoing support. We've been working in London for nearly 2.5 years now and couldn't have done it without you. Remember I'll be in Lagos, Nigeria, December 2nd - 7th.
- Please keep praying for Pastor Brian and the folks at Upper Holloway and Camden Road Baptist Churches; also, pray for Pastor Nigel Williams leaving Canonbury Baptist Church after nearly 25 years.
- Please remember to pray for Islington Street Pastors and our patrols in December. I'm hoping to have teams out on the 17th, 24th, and 31st.
- Please keep praying for my friend "Terry". He's been scheduled for by-pass surgery on 11 January.
- You've been praying for "Alex" for some time now. He's finally checking into a detox clinic this week. Hopefully this will be the first step toward long-term sobriety.
- I'm pleased to report that I had a visit with Karim this week after losing contact for some time. He's doing well and coping with his PTSD without alcohol.
- Please pray for two friends, "M" and "S," in the hospital and for "G" with mental health and financial issues.
Financial support can be sent to FBC Clermont, 498 W. Montrose St., Clermont, FL 34711. It will be greatly appreciated while I'm between jobs.
The Ecker Family
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